Thursday, December 30, 2010

A good quote goes a long way...


I've spent the last year collecting interesting quotes to use on my radio show: "Beth in the Morning" on Life 88.3. Now that the show is coming to an end (see previous blog if you're wondering why) I realize that I still have so many quotes that I haven't had the chance to use on the air! So, my friends, here is a random list of quotes/thoughts - some famous, some not - for your enjoyment or thought provocation...

I think the part of a best friend's job is to make sure your hair and make-up look really good when you're lying in that casket! (Thanks for making that promise to me, Myra!)

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5 because I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood!

I think the freezer is worthy of a light, too.

If you can't live through adversity, you'll never be good at what you do. You have to live through unfair things and develop the hide to not let it bother you and keep your eyes focused on what you have to do.

Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that no one is going to know whether you did it or not.

Sometimes what's left unsaid speaks the loudest.

It is unlikely there will be a reduction in the wages of sin!

Two wrongs never make a right...however three rights always make a left!

People worry too much about what they eat between Christmas and the New year. They should really worry about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas!

And my favorite quote today is: If you can't make it fun...then make it funny!

There now........I feel better!

(Remember that if you have a pulse, you have a purpose...so make your life count!)

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Significant Change

I am an "on-air radio personality" at Life 88.3 FM. I've been working in this field off and on since 1979. The longest I stayed away from radio was when I'd found a better job...being a stay-at-home mom. Even then, I continued free-lance work as a voice-over artist, recording commercials for radio and television, and doing narrations for videos, etc.

As I'm typing this post, I am winding down a 13-month job as the morning show host on a listener funded FM station, that plays praise & worship music 24/7. "Beth in the Morning" on Life 88.3 will sign off at 10 a.m. December 31, 2010 for the very last time. Below is the announcement I made on the air at 7:40 yesterday morning.

"I need to share with you a significant change occurring this week for Life 88.3. Beginning the first day of January, K-Love will take over the on-air programming on 88.3’s frequency. What this means is that there will be all new on-air personalities. As this week goes on we will introduce you to the new network and some of the new personalities.
However, today we want to begin a week-long celebration of praising God for the ministry over the last 2½ years here in Knoxville, East Tennessee and on the world-wide-web. God has blessed this ministry that you, the listeners, have been so faithful to support. We want to say a great big thank you for your support, friendship and partnership together. We understand there will be many question and we would love to be able to respond to them all. We promise to do our best to do that. You can call us at 865.934.6883. And you’re welcome to email us by going through our website at www.life883.org. There is also some helpful information posted on our website that may address any of the questions you may have."


I've known about the "significant change" since December 6th and tried my best to do every single one of my weekday shows without giving any hint of the sadness I was feeling inside. Three air-personalities on Life 88.3, as well as several co-workers on our sister station, Love 89, will be out of a job at midnight on December 31st.

Many people are looking for jobs right now, due to lay-offs because of the poor economy. I'm aware that we are not alone in this situation. But, in my situation, I never looked at this one as a job. It was a ministry for me. Five days a week I was getting to play music to help people grow in the faith, stay focused on Jesus as they start their days, become 'friends' with people I might never have the privilege to meet all because of our common faith in Christ and love for His music.

But my ministry isn't ending...it's just changing gears. My minister/husband and I have been serving churches together since 1974. I've been doing concerts for many years, as well as being a worship leader, retreat speaker, teaching Bible studies and organizational workshops, and many other things that won't end just because I'm not in radio anymore. I've loved every second in this latest job...but now I have new directions and possibilities. Between my husband's pep talks and a good friend from my Chattanooga radio days - I am beginning to look at this situation a little differently than I did yesterday. (Thanks Joe and Ed!) This situation is turning into a new opportunity to find another ministry!

Even looking at it in a different light today than I did yesterday, I still have some sadness in leaving the wonderful co-workers and listeners I've come to love. And I've searched for comfort in the Word and in music. I've been feeding my spirit today on the lyrics of a song written by Cathy and Wayne Perrin back in 1981. I learned it from a cassette tape of "Integrity's Hosanna! Music" that I had a subscription to... How amazing that a song I learned that long ago has popped into my mind when I needed it the most!

When I look into Your holiness
When I gaze into Your loveliness
When all things that surround
Become shadows in the light of You
When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart
When my will becomes enthralled in Your love
When all things that surround become shadows in the light of You
I worship You I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You
I worship You I worship You
The reason I live is to worship You


THAT is what you and I were created for! Thank you, Lord, for bringing a song to my mind and heart on just the day I needed it! You've always been extremely good at that, but today, I'm a little extra impressed with You!

Every weekday, I closed my show with this phrase and you may have noticed by now that it is one I've adopted to close out each blog posting with:
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose...make your life count!

Monday, December 27, 2010

My Hubby's Favorite Pie


My husband isn't a "cake-kind-of-guy" so when I want to make him a special dessert, this is one of my go-to recipes.


FUDGE PECAN PIE

Preheat oven to 350°

2 sticks margerine
8 Tablespoons cocoa
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups chopped pecans (the pie is also good without nuts!!!)

Melt cocoa in margarine; do not get hot. Add beaten eggs. Mix flour with sugar and add to cocoa and margerine3mixture. Mix by hand. Add vanilla and nuts. Stir well. Pour into unbaked pie shells. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool and serve with whipped cream (I like Cool Whip). This pie freezes well, too.

And while I'm on the subject of desserts, please allow me to direct you to a blog "Saving Room For Dessert" that has some of the most complete instructions and delicious recipes you'll find! Her name is Tricia Buice, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. I sang at her wedding in 1985, worked with her husband at several radio stations and became a fan of her blog when her husband mentioned it on facebook. Tricia's blog is: www.savingdessert.com
I believe you'll enjoy what she has to share!


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry White Christmas at the Greenhouse!


December 25, 2010:
It is Saturday in Alcoa, Tennessee and we woke up to SNOW...our first white Christmas since we've lived here and it was pretty! Now it is nearly ten o'clock on Christmas night and snow is falling again. My husband, a United Methodist minister, is paying special attention to the weather forecast because we have a Winter Weather Advisory issued through tomorrow evening. Several churches have already cancelled their Sunday services. And for good reason, I suppose, because temperatures tonight and tomorrow will remain in the 20's so ice will cause problems.

I'm from Ohio, and it always tickles me when I see the panic that snow brings to residents here! Being Christmas Day, it has prevented the usual run to the store for "supplies" as if everyone will be snowed in for a week! Milk, bread, meat, drinks and toilet paper...all leave the shelves in a hurry. Honestly, you'd get a kick out of it if you're one of my northern friends!

I remember driving in Ohio in all sorts of weather! And I remember how my mother would worry about that. I always thought she was too much of a worrier, but that seemed to be her nature. Then I became a mother. Guess that worry stuff comes with the territory! : )

I hope you had a blessed Christmas! I enjoyed celebrating Jesus' birthday with my husband, daughter, son-in-law and his family. Christmas isn't the only time to celebrate Jesus! Celebrate His presence in your life every day!

And remember that if you have a pulse...you have a purpose! Make your life count!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Foolproof Fudge (even I can't mess it up!)


The recipe for microwaved Fantasy Fudge was on the back of a Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar many years ago and is to be used for the microwave only. I'm not sure why the people from Kraft chose to stop putting the microwaved version out there, but maybe it's because not everyone's microwaves are the same. I think this recipe should only be used for those who have powerful microwave ovens. I love my Whirlpool and this recipe turns out perfectly every single time!

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe. My Aunt Berniece (Bruner) Moore made Fantasy Fudge for many years, but prepared hers on top of the stove. I was never very successful with the stove fudge or a candy thermometer, so I was very happy to try it in the microwave.


EASY FANTASY FUDGE

Prepare a 13x9 or 9 inch square pan by lightly greasing it before starting your recipe. You will need a 4 quart microwavable bowl for this recipe.

1 1/2 sticks margerine
3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 package (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or peanut butter chips, plus 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter)
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Microwave margerine one minute or until melted.
Add sugar and evaporated milk; mix well.
Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. Mix well; scrape bowl. Then microwave on HIGH for another 5 to 5 1/2 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. (Depending on your microwave, you'll have to decide how much time is right.  One microwave I had, I only needed 5 minutes...another one took 5 1/2.  The one I have now takes 5 minutes, 20 seconds to get the right texture.  Hits and misses helped me find that perfect time!). 
Gradually stir in chips until melted. Add remaining ingredients, in order listed; mix well.  (Vanilla goes in last.  There's a reason.  It's kind of what helps start the thickening process...in my opinion.). 
Pour into prepared pan. Cool at room temperature before cutting into squares. Store in an airtight container. Makes 3 pounds.

A couple of personal notes
  • If you are making this recipe with peanut butter, the reason for the 1/2 cup peanut butter addition is that the peanut butter chips come in a smaller weight than the chocolate. 
  • I've always made several batches of fudge in a row. I learned the hard way that your spoon needs to be completely dry when you add and stir in the chips and marshmallow creme. I used to stir with my favorite wooden spoon and would wash it in between batches of fudge. The wooden spoon tended to not be completely dry when I'd work with it on the second batch. What happened is that the fudge would suddenly turn grainy and harden much too fast to work with. I learned my lesson...and in the process, realized that an introduction of another liquid such as vanilla flavoring should always be added right at the end of the recipe!
  • Making fudge when the outdoor humidity is high - or it's raining - you'll end up with fudge that's grainy and hard.  Check your weather forecast when you plan to make fudge.






(Remember that if you have a pulse...you have a purpose! Make your life count!)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

If We Only Knew


I'm dealing with a headache tonight and have so many things I should be doing...but my mind and heart are full of too much. The headache is likely more induced by stress than the fact that my neck and shoulders bother me most of the time.

My mind is filled with people in too much strife...too much talking about things with one another instead of talking to the One who has the answers...too many personal opinions about things before knowing all the details. And that seems to be the root of all that is on my mind tonight.

Being a minister's wife can - unfortunately - put me in the position of hearing everyone's opinion about situations that involve church family, church function, church work. I get it from all sides. And the thing is that no one really knows the whole story behind any of these situations. Lots of chatter goes on between this one and that one about another one who isn't doing what someone else thinks should be done.

If each one of us knew the whole situation - would we be so quick to say what is on our minds at the moment? Would we measure our words more carefully? Would we spend more time talking with our Heavenly Father about it than we do with our friends/family?

If we only knew everything about a particular situation...we'd likely find out that every one has a point to be made or wisdom to share that would be of help. But we don't know and maybe never will. And I'm not just talking about church stuff right now. I'm talking about life, in general! Yes, I'm the wife of a pastor...but he isn't just a minister. He is so much more! I'm a working woman, the mother of an adult daughter, the mother-in-law of the man who loves that daughter, a sister, a seamstress and a woman who is on a journey. I've learned a lot in 57 years and I am so much in need of learning more.

But one thing I've learned (and have to keep being reminded of till the day I step into Heaven) is that there is no way I can know every single tidbit of information in a situation that could possibly be a stumbling block in some else's journey. I can't know - but if I only knew - maybe I would be less quick to judge or add my two cents' worth into the conversation. So many little dogs barking can make a lot of noise but that is all that will be accomplished. Noise.

Let's spend more time talking to Jesus about the problem instead of to each other. Just sayin'...

(Remember that if you have a pulse...you have a purpose! Make your life count!)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Would you like to be buried in the family plot?


My husband comes from a wonderful little town called Appalachia, Virginia. It is nestled in the mountains of the southwestern part of the state. I met him in Wilmore, Kentucky after church one night...a service he attended with a carload of girls. (He later told me he was just "doing evangelism" but I already knew that he was a hit with all the girls on campus at Asbury Seminary and across the street at Asbury College.)

A few weeks after our first date, he took me home to meet the family. His parents were so welcoming and made me feel right at home! They owned a funeral home, established by my father-in-law in 1931. All five Green boys all worked for their dad as they grew up. Cemeteries had a special place in my husband's heart, so I shouldn't have been surprised when he wanted to take me for an afternoon drive and we ended up in one! Joe asked if I'd like to get out and walk. I thought to myself...I'm not staying here in the car by myself in a cemetery!!! We walked to a tombstone that had the name "Green" on it and Joe said that was where his grandfather was buried. I expressed my condolences and then Joe continued with what I'm typing to my best recollection...

Joe: I guess you're wondering why I brought you here today.

Me: Yes.

Joe: I told you all week at school that I wanted to bring you to a place that is very special to me and this is it! I grew up in places like this and I wanted to share it with you. Would you like to be buried in the family plot?

Me: Now?!?

Joe: I'm asking you to be my wife!

We met in February and married in May. I don't recommend that to anyone, although it's worked out well for us in these 36 years together. We went through a lot of things we likely wouldn't have, if we'd have waited a while...but our God has perfect timing.

For our 18th wedding anniversary he gave me a gold charm bracelet with a tombstone on it that reads "Green Family Plot" on one side and "i love you" with the date he proposed (March 2, 1974) below it.

I sold my red 1967 Mustang to pay for our wedding. When he ticks me off, I tell him how much I miss my car! (insert smile here)


As always, a good reminder to close with:
If you have a pulse, you have a purpose...make your life count!